Spinal Discs

Tuesday, 6 June 2017

Hip and Groin Pain in Athletes

Sudden onset of hip pain is quite common in athletes who are involved in sports that require a lot of twisting, turning and kicking. Athletes who are actively involved in soccer and Australian football are at a higher risk of sudden hip and groin pain due to musculoskeletal injuries. The presenting symptoms may vary according to the structures that are damaged. Adductor muscle strain is a very common cause of inner thigh pain. Injury to the hip joint, such as labral or chondral tear, can lead to severe hip and groin pain. Injury of the muscles and bursae associated with the hip joint can co-exist with a hip joint injury.

The location of the pain is the most useful sign to localise the area abnormality. Differential diagnosis can be made based on the location of the pain. The adductor muscle, iliopsoas and rectus femoris are the more commonly strained muscles. A strain of the above-mentioned muscles can cause pain at the inner thigh or groin region.

There are some more severe causes of hip and groin pain that should not be missed by the health care practitioners. Intra-abdominal abnormality such as appendicitis or urinary tract abnormality can sometimes refer pain to the inner thigh and hip region. Rheumatological disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis can cause hip and groin pain as there are extensive tightness in the hip flexors.